It's officially spooky season, which means those of us with sensitive dogs have the added fun of figuring out how to keep our dogs under threshold not just around their normal day to day triggers, but also around real live ghouls and goblins. For a reactive dog-owner, sometimes those Halloween decorations can feel like a real pain to navigate, so here’s what I do with my dog to try to make sure all those tricks feel like treats:
Give them the space they need
I make sure to leave LOTS of room for observation. Sometimes dogs just need more time and space to figure out what they are looking at, and halloween decorations are no exception. My Aussie boy is a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so I have to sometimes encourage him to hang back and really take our time. You are looking for soft observation here - a few glances with body language staying soft. If your dog is pulling into the equipment and leaning forward there is a good chance they are getting too amped.
Interrupt and change the subject
So what do we do if our dogs start losing it? I trained a “positive interrupter” for when my dog gets flustered, or something unexpected happens (hello jump scare!). I usually use my dog’s name or a “let’s go!” cue that I have paired with movement, fun, and treats. Be sure to train your positive interrupter when you DON’T need it so it isn’t only associated with scary stuff and so those positive vibes stay strong.
Brave dogs get to take a break
Reinforcing bravery by moving AWAY from scary things is a super important part of the desensitization process. Most humans want to skip this step (if your dog is doing well, why not get closer, right?), and I’m here to tell you DON’T DO THAT- why would you reward your dog for being brave by pushing them into a situation that is even scarier? Let your dog take a breather and THEN re approach if your dog is up for it.
Know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em
Sometimes we just avoid, or I reward my dog for being brave by leaving the area. We don’t need to spend every minute of the walk facing our demons, and most dogs have a threshold for how much "work" they can do on their walks - don’t forget the point of the walk is still to decompress and have a good time. Those decorations will be around for several weeks to work through- we aren't in any rush!
What halloween decorations does your dog have feelings about and how do you handle it?
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